The European Federation of Periodontology has come together with the World Heart Federation to create awareness around the impact periodontal disease can have on your heart. This campaign is promoting healthy gums for a healthy heart.
There is a lot of information out there about this very important topic, so we thought we would summarise this for you!
Global Facts about Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- 50% of the global population have periodontal disease
- There are approximately 800 million people around the world with severe forms of periodontal disease
- Nearly 500 million people worldwide were affected by Cardiovascular Disease in 2017
What is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) also known as coronary heart disease, is a class of disease that involves the heart or blood vessels and
includes:
- ischaemic heart disease
- stroke
- hypertension
- rheumatic heart disease
- cardiomyopathy
- atrial fibrillation
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal Disease, also known as Gum Disease, is the inflammation of your gums caused by the a build up of plaque on your teeth. There are various different stages of gum disease, starting with gingivitis, the least severe form, all the way to periodontal disease.
If untreated, periodontitis causes tooth loss and it is associated with poorer nutrition, speech, and self-confidence and a lower quality of life.
Perio and Cardio
- There is scientific evidence of associations between periodontitis and Cardiovascular Disease, including increased risk of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke.
- It has been found that gum disease can make it harder to prevent CVD, and may impact treatment for those who already have it.
- In patients with CVD, periodontal treatment and good oral hygiene habits may reduce the incidence of acute CVD events.
- People that have Cardiovascular Disease should receive a thorough oral health examination.
- Common lifestyle factors such as smoking, stress, obesity, diabetes, and an unhealthy diet can aggravate both periodontitis and CVD.
- Early diagnosis, prevention, and co-management (by dentists and doctors) of both CVD and periodontitis is extremely importance.
Recommendations
If you have CVD, ensure you keep an eye out for the signs of gum disease, such as swollen and bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and loose teeth. If you notice any of these signs, be sure to see your dentist as soon as you can.
Ensure you inform your dentist about your CVD. Include any changes in your medication, along with summaries of your latest visits to your doctor. This will allow your dentist to ensure you are getting the right treatment. It will also allow them to provide you with a tailored oral hygiene routine.
Avoid Periodontal Disease with These Easy Tips
- Brush your teeth twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each time.
- Use interdental brushes once a day to ensure you are cleaning in between your teeth effectively.
- See your dentist every 6 months for a check up.
- Avoid smoking.
- Have a balanced and healthy diet, and ensure to stay active.
We think this is a great initiative started by the European Federation of Periodontology and the World Heart Federation. Both periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are very common diseases, and it is important for people to know how these diseases can impact each other.
If you have any questions in relation to periodontal disease, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
